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SPRING & SUMMER 2 0 1 4 • ISSUE 1 1

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HUGO BOSS FASHIONS INC. Phone +1 212 940 0600

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Greetings from 18th Street.

We built our 11,000 square foot flagship a couple of years ago, on a side street, while the economy was somewhat uncertain. When we weighed our options, we decided to “go big or go home” and we pressed ahead. Fast forward two years, we are certain that it was the right move. However, that does not make us comfortable. It is just not our nature. We never want to disappoint, and the new store gives us an opportunity to re-evaluate and refine everything we do. We strive to make our stores inspiring and functional at the same time. As part of the process, we continually cull our suppliers down to those who provide the right menswear with the best price/ value relationship, and then we choose the best of what they have to offer. It is an ongoing and arduous process, but one that we enjoy.

It is nice that so many of you give us feedback (our email addresses are below, as usual) so that we can continually work to give you the best experience at Rothmans. It is also nice when outsiders notice what we are doing. We are thrilled to report that our Scarsdale store was just named “Best Men’s Boutique 2014” by Westchester Magazine. In the same week, MR Magazine, the leading trade publication of the menswear industry, named us as winner of the “Readers Choice – Best Store in the United States.” We are humbled by these awards, and give special thanks to our associates and leaders, specifically Kenny La Barbera, Jennifer O’Dean and Mark Rubinstein.

We hope that you have been in the store to visit us lately. If not, come see for yourself our ever changing slate of designers and manufacturers. Of course, to keep it interesting, we often have a Pop-Up Shop in-house from an emerging brand that catches our eye. We assure you that each time that you visit, the store will be different.

Thanks for taking a look at our 11th issue of Rothmans Magazine. We built this new store in NYC, and we renovated our Scarsdale store in the past year, but we are well aware that our most valued asset is still you, our friends and customers. This magazine has been our way to celebrate this bond, as we are able to find fascinating, amusing and inspiring stories written by and about our clients. In this issue, we are happy to bring you an interview with NYC real estate powerhouse Paul Massey, an inspirational NYC entrepreneur. Also, we have our farflung foreign correspondent and menswear blogger Kristina-Marie Ross, reporting on retail in Edinburgh, Scotland. We also get an inside look at one of our favorite spots, The Old Town Bar, from the world’s best bartender, Patrick Lydon. There is plenty more inside about fashion and NYC, so please take a look.

On an ongoing basis, follow us on Instagram or Twitter (@rothmansnyc) and our Facebook Page. All of these are updated frequently with events, sales and news. Please keep an eye out for our new website coming in September, which will feature an e-commerce component. To be added to our email list, simply drop us a note at info@rothmansny.com.

We hope that you enjoy the Magazine. If not, at least find the page with the coupons!

With appreciation, Jim and Ken Giddon Jim@rothmansny.com Ken@rothmansny.com

NEW YORK CITY: 18TH STREET & PARK AVENUE SOUTH • NEW YORK, Ny 10003 • TEL 212 777 7400 Scarsdale: 1 Boniface Circle • Scarsdale, New York, NY 10583 • Tel 914 713 0300 www.rothmansny.com

contents

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R O T H M A N S

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5 Welcome 8 A Rothmans Man: Paul Massey

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12 Call of the Wild 14 Hip to be Square 16 My Youth, My Mom and the Mets 20 Designer Spotlight: Atelier Gardeur 22 You Can Take Rothmans Anywhere

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24 Jeanspotting 28 Check the List 30 Adventure in Italy’s Wine Country 36 Scarsdale Star 38 Old Town Bar Restaurant

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44 Get the Blues 46 Custom Shirts, Affordable Luxury 48 For Our VIP Readers 50 See The Pattern?

Todd Tufts • Editor in Chief/Publisher/Creative Director Leslie C. Smith • Editorial Director Stephen Lewis • Assistant Copy Editor

Larry Stuart • Art Director Vence Vida • Production Manager/Designer

Rothmans Magazine is published by Tufts Communications, 1201 E. 5th Street, Suite 1009 • Anderson, IN 46012 T: 765-608-3081 • E: todd@tuftscom.com • © 2014, Tufts Communications. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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a rothmans

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Talking Real Estate with

Paul Massey Editor’s Note: Paul Massey and I went to high school together in Boston a long time ago. At the Roxbury Latin School, we learned Greek, Latin, and that high school could be significantly more difficult than college. We both managed to graduate, and at 28, Paul and his friend Bob Knakal started their eponymous brokerage firm, Massey Knakal. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Massey Knakal is the number one firm in NYC for building sales. I sat down with Paul for a few minutes to reminisce and talk NYC real estate.

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Ken: You have a lot of loyalty to our high school. Why?

type of game. That’s why I am attracted to these three sports. By

Paul: When I was in 6th grade, my teacher called my mother

the way, I was also a marathon runner, so it’s not all about contact

and pointed out to her that if I went to the local high school, I

sports.

would either hang out with the bright kids (because I had some

K: Why real estate?

aptitude), or I would hang out with the troublemakers. She was

P: I lucked into the real estate business. Through my fraternity

pretty sure which one of those alternatives it was going to be, so

at Colgate, I met an alum whose responsibility it was to come

she suggested to my mom that I apply to Roxbury Latin, instead.

around a few times each year to make sure we didn’t burn the

The school purposely chose two to three kids from each of its

house down. He is a major guy at CB Richard Ellis.

surrounding towns in order to create a diverse student body and

K: How did you get started?

encourage us to lose our biases fast. It was also a small school, so

P: As I was graduating, I went to the Boston office where I had

everyone had to do everything. I was involved in sports, glee club,

interned at CB for the summer and asked him for a job. I was told

theater, etc. Roxbury Latin did a great job of teaching me how

that they only had one opening, and that experienced sales people

to work with a lot of different types of people, which prepared

were applying for that position; I had been a nice kid for the sum-

me for my career in New York City. I loved it, even though I am

mer, but there was no way they were going to roll the dice on me.

pretty sure I graduated number 38 out of a class of 39.

My boss said, “Sorry no way.” The good news, I was told, was that

K: You were a high school wrestling champ, then a martial arts

they were just opening their NYC office and, “They would take

guy, now a boxer…are you working out some aggression? Does

anyone down there.” So, I came to the City.

that help in negotiations?

K: What are the traits that make a great broker?

P: No, it’s not about aggression. Those are three sports that

P: A great broker is a highly disciplined pipeline manager. He

provide a fantastic cardio workout. I have always loved playing

needs to generate business, secure business, execute business, and

a sport as opposed to just going to the gym. I don’t know how

close business. And in a lot of cases, he needs to do that 30 to 40

people put themselves through a workout without it being some

times a year. That requires a huge dose of focus and discipline.

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K: What do you look for in a new hire?

pany and they were looking for people to specialize in investment

P: There are five things we focus on when new people join the

sales. To differentiate ourselves we volunteered. After five years,

firm, and a lot of the traits we look for do not show up on a resume,

being young, impetuous, and seeking a new challenge (and not

but are in the fabric of their background.

knowing any better), we started our own company.

1. Organizational involvement: Team, club, school play, etc.

P: Massey Knakal has worked because we have grown every year

2. Leadership (different than organizational involvement):

in one form or another, we have learned from a litany of mistakes,

Captain of…President of…Founder of…etc. Typically,

and we have had fun along the way.

great candidates have these things recurring through their

K: You created your firm 25 years ago. Could a couple of 25

past.

year-olds go out and do this now?

3. Diverse interests: Our most successful people have a very

P: Absolutely. In fact, we have had very low attrition over the

diverse set of interests. In our company we have Off-

last 25 years, but there are eight people who have left us whom we

Broadway actors, stand-up comics, pilots, expert fly fisher-

wish hadn’t. Four of them have started their own businesses, and it

man — and, in a lot of cases, these are all packaged in the

is very difficult for us to criticize them (being in a glass house and

same individual.

all). All four of them are doing extremely well and make us proud

4. Very high level references: As they have gone through

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K: Why has it worked?

— People who are involved. History tends to repeat itself.

— even though they are competing with us on occasion.

life, when they have met important, influential, high-level,

K: How do you compete with the big boys?

or famous people, they have stuck to them because they

P: There are two hallmarks of our company that distinguish

essentially want to be them.

us from our competition. First, we have a broker every 15 blocks

5. Positive personality: Although we have had many different

in Manhattan and in every submarket of the boroughs. This gives

personality types succeed at our firm, it’s more the frosting

us a significant competitive advantage. Second, we only represent

on the cake, if the person has a pleasant demeanor.

the seller or the landlord, and this clear focus on the client’s best

K: How did you come to decide to go and start your own firm?

interest and clear lack of conflict wins us a lot of our business.

P: While at CB, I teamed up with Bob Knakal informally and

K: What is next for MK? You seem to be branching off into

almost by accident; we were both the youngest guys in the com-

some areas outside of your core competency.

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a rothmans

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P: MK made a strategic decision three years ago to branch into

looking as professional as possible and taking any unnecessary vari-

other practices that complimented our core building sales business.

ables out of the equation. While we are on the topic, we strongly

1. We successfully started a mortgage brokerage division.

discourage facial hair for men. We think the clean cut look is

There are 4,000 distinct financing transactions worth 60 billion dollars in NYC every year. We are on our way to taking a large chunk of the market in that arena, and it is quite complementary to our investment sales division.

2. We also branched out into commercial leasing — specifically retail — which always makes up a large portion of the

“We are not the fashion police, but we compete for every piece of business we get, so it’s just a matter of looking as professional as possible.”

value of the properties that we represent.

3. We have started a sponsor equity fund, essentially investing

the way to go. That being said, on weekends, my wife Gretchen

our money and our clients’ money through backing devel-

complains a lot about the way I go super casual and never shave.

opers with equity for repositioning or rehabbing properties

So again, we are not being really hard-edged about it, but we are

around NYC. All of these initiatives are exciting and assist

competitive, and we like to win, and we want to make sure we’re

us with building long-term relationships with our clients.

doing everything we can. (The one exception is my partner, Bob.

K: How do you handle the transition from 2 guys to 250 guys?

He’s a legendary salesman, and when you are that good, you can

P: The key to running a 250-person service business is to have

get away with a beard.)

a team of fantastic managers who are disciplined and focused.

K: Do you ever use your Latin language skills in real estate?

Fortunately, we have that.

P: Studying Latin taught me how to write a letter, and I do

K: Do you put much thought into clothes? What do you suggest

write frequently to friends and clients. Also, we have a society for

a young broker should wear?

top salespeople within our firm, and on the fantastic green jackets

P: I don’t have to think about clothes much, because I shop at

that Rothmans provides us, there’s a motto above our crest saying,

Rothmans. Ken and his team take great care of me.

“Semper Ubi Sub Ubi.” So, I was able to pull that out of my Latin

K: We sell you a lot of dark suits and white shirts. Is that the way

bag of tricks.

you want your colleagues to dress?

K: I suppose Semper Ubi Sub Ubi could be the Rothmans motto

P: Our outlook on what a salesperson should wear is quite

as well! (All of you youngsters out there who took Chinese instead

definite: for men, a dark suit, a white shirt and a conservative tie;

of Latin can Google the meaning).

for women, similar apparel. We are not the fashion police, but we

Paul, you give a lot back, serving on multiple boards, how do

compete for every piece of business we get, so it’s just a matter of

you find the time?

P: I have volunteered for our high school board along with other great institutions like the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and the New York Pops. When you are passionate about something, it never seems like a real imposition. It’s just rewarding.

K: Honestly, how much of a loser was I in high school?

P: No more than the rest of us. You always made an impression on me because, even though the older kids typically never took a second for the underclassmen, you always took the time to be friendly and show interest in what our class was up to. I remember you as a bright student (which I am guessing is how you got into Brown), a fantastic basketball player, and a great guy. And lastly, if anyone is wondering if it is still a small world, consider the fact that two guys from a tiny high school in Boston end up (coincidentally) living three houses away from each other in the suburbs of NYC. We are lucky enough to see a lot of each other.

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unique perspectives

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A story featured at The Moth

p h o t o g r a p hy

b y TA L I S M A N

B R O L I N

The Moth was founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate the feeling of sultry summer evenings in his native Georgia, when moths were attracted to the light on the porch where he and his friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales. The Moth quickly grew from a motley assemblage of extended friends and family to an organization that now reaches millions of people each week via public radio, a podcast, open mic SLAMs, and mainstage events in cities across the country.

The Moth is an incredibly democratic arts organization that has welcomed stories from cops, pickpockets, voodoo priestesses, astronauts, refugees, and Molly Ringwald, Malcolm Gladwell, Salmon Rushdie, a hotdog eating champion, and hundreds more — strange bedfellows in the same sentence let alone on the same stage. To learn more about The Moth, please check out Themoth.org.

The following story was told by our friend Mike Rothman (no relation) at a recent Moth event entitled Chip Off The Old Block: Stories about Fathers.

It’s 1993. I’m in 6th grade. I have a greasy face, a lone armpit hair, and this newfound notion that every girl moves in slow motion. And there’s my dad, in front of my class, explaining with his hands and fingers how wolves meet and mate with each other. Kids start squirming in their seats, and then the old man proceeds to howl, in a timber that’s more bleating lamb than wolf, while my head, buried in a hoodie, is now buried in my hands.

My dad has made this lecture an annual tradition, one that has begun to feel like TMI at a time when interaction between your parents and your school should be limited to the PTA. But here’s my dad, talking wolf sex in language that was on five-second giggle delay as students deciphered words like coupling, prostrate, and mount. A strange hobby these lessons in wolf behavior became, particularly for a guy whose day job was selling consumer electronics.

You see, growing up I came to learn that my dad was a wolf biologist before I was born. He was living in the wilds of rural Minnesota, tracking them, studying their mating patterns, and generally sniffing a lot of their poop and pee.

So while I never knew my dad as the field biologist — he was more the dude who sold TVs, microwaves, and refrigerators with his two brothers — there would be hints of his lupine past. For instance, there was the skull room in our basement, which included taxidermied rodents, drawers of teeth, and shelves of journals on the territorial behavior of timber wolves.

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There were also these lectures to my class each year, as if the

As much as I tried to push away throughout my adolescence —

kids in my class were undergrads at the University of Minnesota,

become my own man and do what I wanted — I began to notice

rather than snickering 3rd, 4rd, and 5th graders with ADHD.

this odd resonance, as did others. My dad displayed strange behav-

And I remember the birds and the bees talk was literally about

iors, like a fondness for wrestling our family dogs, biting my sisters,

the birds and the bees. More familiar female body parts were re-

and expeiencing goddamn waterworks at the end of Dances with

placed with ornithological references and detailed descriptions of

Wolves when those monsters from the US cavalry try to shoot Two

the stamen, the male fertilizing organ in a flower.

Socks, the wolf Kevin Costner befriends at his frontier post.

His path to the wolves began as a junior in college after a biology

When I turned 30, my friends wrote a song about me with sev-

professor brought a pet wolf to class. After that moment, my old

eral lines referencing wolf-like tendencies, both as a lone wolf and

man was hooked.

as someone who rolls with a pack and keeps an occasional whiskery

He later worked on a wolf preserve that attracted an odd group

scruff.

of people — scientists, sure, but also people who liked the isolation

And that guy who would record wolf noises up near my dad’s

— even the occasional oddball, such as the one guy who came specifically to make music out of wolf calls.

My mom, meanwhile, was a flight attendant, and while they didn’t “meet cute” on a flight or

cabin in north Montana?

Without warning, he leans back and starts howling. And because I’m 11 and this is my dad, it was as embarrassing as if we were in the middle of the Sam Goody at the Paramus mall.

anything like that, they

I even started listening to his music. He became a six-time Grammy-nominated new-age musician named Paul Winter, who puts

together

annual

Winter Solstice listening events in a cathedral space uptown, like a Pink Floyd

met, they wed, I came into the picture, and suddenly the romance

laser light show with papier mâché whales instead of The Wall.

with the wilderness gave way to more practical considerations of

So last April, my old man was turning 60, and I had an idea. We

raising a child. The call of the wolf became the call of the mall, in

were in the back room of this restaurant off Bowery and I stood up

a leafy Jersey suburb outside the city.

to give a toast offering thanks to my dad and acknowledging his call

I got a better taste of this other side of my dad when he took

of the wild. “And here to celebrate the lupine spirit,” I said, “is Mr.

me to his old stomping grounds near Duluth. He said he wanted to

Paul Winter,” who subsequently burst through a back door amid a

show me something and guided me out to a field in the middle of

plume of smoke, playing “Howl-a-llujah,” a saxophone solo that’s

the night. Without warning, he leans back and starts howling. And

Baker Street if Gerry Rafferty were replaced by a wolf.

because I’m 11 and this is my dad, it was as embarrassing as if we

And at the end of the song, in what was one of the purer, least

were in the middle of the Sam Goody at the Paramus mall.

ironic moments I had experienced with my family, I joined ev-

But then a remarkable thing happened: they started howling

eryone in one long wolf howl, free of embarrassment and full of

back. I froze. I didn’t know how to react, but I looked at my dad and

warmth for the man who goes by NJWolfdad@gmail.com.

he was nodding, listening. “A female,” he says, “and she’s in heat.”

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fashion accesories

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W O L L E N H A U P T

hipsquare

get to the

The pocket square is still the hottest fashion trend this spring and summer — and for good reason. It allows you to add color, class and sophistication to suits and sport jackets when worn with a tie or without.

My old boss Jesse always knew how to wear a pocket square.

He was the son of a European diplomat and had loads of old-world sophistication. A silk pocket square with a small, tasteful pattern was essential to his effortlessly put-together look.

Of course, my grandfather wore a hankie in the front jacket pocket of his best suit, but it looked like one he might actually use. Jesse’s squares, on the other hand, ran to rich silk and starched linens.

Squared away Jesse had a square artfully folded in every jacket I saw him wear, even the subtly plaid sport coats he donned on casual Friday.

For younger minions, casual Friday attire meant chinos and a polo shirt. For Jesse, it meant slacks with a military-sharp crease, a coordinating sport coat, and an open shirt.

That pocket square was one way he set himself apart. It was an indication of his self-confidence and experience, a subtle signal that said he always had the answers.

Jesse knew the rules of the pocket square. One rule is, don’t mismatch patterns. If you have a paisley pocket square, the pattern on your tie, scarf, or shirt should be simple. If you have a patterned shirt, let the shirt color dictate the pocket square — simply repeat color or colors in pattern or solid. Avoid the look that says “matching tie-and-square boxed gift set.”

Squares come in three basic fabrics: cotton, linen, and silk, in ascending order of formality. Cotton and linen typically come in a greater variety of patterns and colors.

For a polished corporate look, or a suit with a tie, select a pocket square that carries the same colors as the tie. Two separate

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patterns in one color is a good look, or opt for a solid square in a single color inspired by the tie.

Walk into a party in a jacket with a square and you instantly become “the guy with a pocket square,” Which is not a bad thing, considering you’re in the company of Fred Astaire, Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra, and the rest of the Rat Pack. Don’t think of the square as solely for officewear or a tuxedo. It’s common to see the sophisticated casual look of a pair of premium denim jeans paired with a nice button down and blazer topped off with a silk scarf and pocket square.

A classic square makes an upscale finish to the corduroy or velvet sport coat, and it’s also at home with a classic plain sport coat in black or deep brown. These options pair well with jeans and slacks. For casualwear, break out the bold colors and patterns that might be overpowering at the office.

Fold your own Folding a pocket square may seem like an exercise in sartorial origami, but as with tie knots, find one or two you do well and stick with it. On the Internet, Wikipedia lists a dozen ways to fold a square. Let your mood and the setting guide you. A formal occasion may require a crisper, more formal fold. The straight edge of a white cotton or linen square peeking over the edge of a dark suit pocket indicates seriousness of purpose. For the party scene, a flopped and folded square stuffed just-so implies a relaxed feeling suitable for a night of fun on the town.

I don’t work with Jesse any more, but I have a silk square that cost a jaw-dropping amount of money that I pull out for important meetings. I like to think he’d be proud.

JACKVICTOR.COM

ball games

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M I C K

G L A U B E R

Editor’s Note: Mick Glauber has been a good friend for nearly 20 years and may be the best softball player we have ever seen.

My Youth, My Mom, and the Mets I was born at the end of the baby boom, the youngest of five, in the suburbs of New York. Dad went to work and Mom stayed home. Eisenhower was in office.

During the ’60s and ’70s, White Plains, New York was (and still is, for the most part) a great diverse suburban city. We had excellent schools serving families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. We left our doors unlocked and played pick up games in the field across the street. We enjoyed our proximity to the City. We went to Broadway shows, and games at the Garden.

We were a baseball family. I loved the game, the rules, the unique skills required to play well, the pace. and the feeling that you get when you hit a ball on the nose or catch it in the right spot of your nicely broken-in mitt.

When we were growing up, the neighborhood kids and I played pickup baseball games all day. If we didn’t have enough for two complete teams we had plenty of rule modifications that allowed us to play with as few as 4 on 4. When we got bored, we played other pickup games that were related to baseball. There was kickball and punchball, which featured the inflated red rubber ball that only hurt for a little while after it hit you in the face, and would not leave a dent in your neighbor’s car if you played in the street. Of course, stickball and whiffle ball were in the mix as

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well, and an important skill was being able to imitate the batting stances of our favorite players. Two of us could easily simulate a 9 inning baseball game with nothing more than a tennis ball, 80 feet of road, and a bad imitation of a play-by-play announcer.

We also had fielding games, based off of some variation of us hitting fungoes to one or more other kids. My favorite of these was called “500.” Points were awarded for balls cleanly fielded. Onehundred points for a ball caught in the air, 75 for a one-hopper, 50 for a two-hopper and 25 for three or more hops. Points were similarly deducted for errors. The person getting to 500 would become the next hitter. This became a great way to hone our fielding skills, (especially when we would play the “full contact” version). In my family, on a decent day, it was not uncommon to hear the question “wanna have a catch?” or “wanna hit ‘em out?”

(There are even stories of a bored, lonely youngster hitting fungoes in the field to nobody at all, only to walk over to the ball and fungo it right back.)

We also had stoop ball. Stoop ball was a game with baseball rules. The ball was put “in play” by bouncing a tennis ball off of a set of someone’s front steps. If you got it past a certain landmark without being caught it was a single, over the hedges is a homer etc. Thinking back…this was a stupid game. If you possessed the ability to throw a tennis ball at the precise angle to hit the corner of a flagstone stair tread then you were the Babe Ruth of Stoop Ball. If you were off by a half inch, you were apologizing to Mrs. Miller for damaging her storm door.

While baseball and its derivative games dominated our days, we were not exclusive. We still had time for football, basketball, street hockey, and snowball fights. There was also the occasional game of Capture the Flag, Hide and Seek, or Spud. (Don’t ask...I don’t think I ever knew the rules of Spud. In fact, I suspect that Billy McDonald actually made the rules up as he went along.)

Some games were very simple, like “Kill the Man with the Ball.” was unique in that the name of the game contained all of its rules.

Hey, I never said we were a cerebral bunch.

We played something every day. There was zero parental involvement. These were not play-dates. We were outside a lot.

Teams were usually chosen by “captains” or by using the very scientific “one potato, two potato” or “doggie doggie step right out” selection method. If we were comfortable with the team choices, a game could be “locked.” This involved a massive intertwining

ball games of everyone’s right pinkie…If you showed up after this ritual and quality of the game. The talent level in the major leagues is wanted to get in the game, you would hear “sorry man…nothing incredible. we can do about it…the game’s locked.”

And then there are steroids.

I can remember waiting for the morning paper so I could check I’m not going to go crazy with the whole performance the box scores. I could recognize when someone had a big game enhancing drug thing. I’m old school but the steroid thing does not with a quick glance at their stat line. All really bother me as much as I would we needed was those four columns: at have thought. bats, runs, hits, RBI. On Sundays, the Players and teams have been accused New York Times sports section had of cheating since the game began. the big stat page and we could check Let’s just try to keep it clean and everyone’s numbers provided they had move on. This whole outcry about the the requisite minimum number of record books and the Hall of Fame is plate appearances. Most kids today fascinating to me. Why do we care so don’t know what a box score is. much about someone’s career total I still love baseball, but now I don’t of hits or home runs or wins? What really have the time to enjoy a ball difference does it make? game. I try to go to a couple of games Well, it matters to a lot of people. every year. But I follow the sport There is a good chance that if you differently. I watch a game on TV are reading this, then you know when I can, usually flipping between exactly how many home runs Babe two or three other things on at the Ruth hit in his career. A career that same time, and I listen to games on the ended in 1935! How crazy is that? radio while I am in the car. There are the way, your kids just as likely Baseball is still a great game. Mom By some great websites now like ESPN. do not know, and probably think it is was the biggest baseball fan in our ridiculous that you do. Do you know com or MLB.com where you can check all of the stats from every game family. She grew up rooting for the how many points Kareem scored in his in just a few minutes.

NBA career? How many touchdowns New York baseball Giants and Major League Baseball officials will Jerry Rice had? How many goals for tell you that the game is more popular passed along her appreciation for Gretzky? Me neither. than ever. It just does not seem that I think it has to do with the basic the game to her kids. way to me. There are so many more nature of baseball. The relaxed pace forms of entertainment competing for of a game allows us to appreciate the people’s attention. There are hundreds of TV channels, video nuances of the sport. We create statistics which can be discussed games, and on-demand programming. My theory is that baseball and compared. “Talkin’ baseball” is an activity all its own. We can has lost its grassroots attachment. compare players from different eras because we have the time to There is no more “sandlot baseball” and everything for kids is quantify everything and we have numbers. “organized.” Unfortunately, “Organized Baseball” is just awful. Baseball is still a great game.

Typical local youth baseball consists of twelve kids on a team, Mom was the biggest baseball fan in our family. She grew up having a horrible time; three coaches who think they are rooting for the New York baseball Giants and passed along her professional managers; and at least five more parents from each appreciation for the game to her kids. She became a Mets fan. team who just can’t keep quiet. Generally, three kids on a typical Mom was a “get-there-for-the-first-pitch-keep-a-scorecard-andteam are good players, six kids are okay, and three are…ummm… stay-til-the-last-pitch” baseball fan. Dad was more of a “get-thereprobably really good at something else. The draft order for picking at-the top-of-the-third-and-leave-at-the-seventh-inning-stretch-tothese three least-talented kids on a team is based on the time- beat-the-traffic” guy. honored criteria of a) Hottest mom b) Dad owns a deli and c) Eventually, dad moved out and step-dad and step-siblings Dad’s company can get Knicks tickets. moved in. Now I was the youngest of nine.

It also seems harder to root for today’s players. We root for Mom still ran the home. She did all of the things you would teams. When a player is signed by the team for whom we root, we expect from a mom back then. And she did it for nine kids. She learn to like that player. But we know it is a fleeting relationship. was by all accounts “a pretty cool mom”.

Free agency has impacted the fan experience. Not many good She took us to see Hair on Broadway. (that bushy visual scarred players today have that cool “one team for the entire career” me for years). stat snapshot on the back of their baseball card. Nevertheless, She provided dessert for me and my friends after a Grateful the players are better than they ever were. They have better Dead concert because she knew we might be “hungry.” equipment, better facilities, and the ability to breakdown and She was an environmentalist before it became fashionable. She study video. The international players have added to the overall was charitable. She supported causes for all people.

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ball games She let the local youth football team use our place as a de facto watering station. I used to love the sound of metal football cleats on pavement as the kids would fill up their water jugs, or drink straight from the hose behind our house. I never gave it a second thought, but…this was a team from the local Catholic church, most of the players were lower income minority kids from downtown…and none of us kids ever even played organized football.

She was just being a good neighbor.

And she was always positive.

If she ever thought about expressing something negative about someone or passing judgment, she would make this face...pursed lips and a forced toothless smile. And she would hold it in. She had opinions…but she had a filter. She never embarrassed us.

When we had our children, she was the grandma you went to visit (not the one that would move in for a month). Holiday meals were always at her house. Her brisket is the paradigm for all other briskets. Her door was always open. You didn’t need to call. She loved her daughters-in-law…even the non-Jewish ones. She was there during our celebrations and she supported us after our divorces.

In 2005, Mom joined us on a family trip out west. It was really the first time I spent a lot of time with her since leaving for college. She will say that she had a great time on the trip and truly appreciated coming with us. We traveled up and down the coast and saw five baseball games at all five California major league stadiums. But during the trip it seemed like she was never happy: She had to ride in the front; the radio was too loud; the car was too cold; the car was too warm; why am I driving like that; how come your kids mumble?

I remember thinking: “When did my sweet Jewish mom become such a complainer?”

“Should I just tell her to stop whining?”

“Is she questioning my competency as a parent?”

“Who puts salt on honeydew melon?”

“Is it possible for a grown man to shoot himself in the head twice?”

But the trip was great. How could it not be?

The common thread was baseball. We talked about all of the stadiums and the games and the parking and the concessions, and the players and the teams, and keeping the book and our ticket stubs and taking pictures…we knew we were making memories.

Baseball is like that.

Mom is on her own now. She has some health issues. She worked until she was 80. Our step-dad passed away about 10 years ago. Young families have moved in to the neighborhood to take advantage of what White Plains still has to offer. The field across the street is usually empty. The football kids still know where to get water. The sound of their footsteps has been muffled by today’s mandatory plastic and rubber cleats. People have told her she should get out of there…try assisted living, or independent living, or an apartment in town, or go to Florida. But she is comfortable there and change is not so easy. It has been her only home since 1959.

That’s a pretty good run.

She spends a lot of time alone…She watches a lot of TV and reads the local newspaper. She does the cryptoquote and the crossword. She can watch hours of talk shows and cop dramas… and of course, baseball.

She still likes to watch the whole game. She is one of the few people I know who will actually sit and watch a Met game start to finish. No flipping channels.

She knows the game. She has watched enough of them throughout her life. She knows the players. She remembers rooting for immortals like Mel Ott and Johnny Rucker (who? According to mom, “He played during the war. He wasn’t that good…but boy he was handsome!”) and Alvin Dark and Willie Mays and Bobby Thomson and Monte Irvin and Eddie Stanky when they played for her Giants in the Polo Grounds.

And today she roots for immortals like Josh Satin and Lucas Duda.

Last week I asked her who she thinks should be the starting outfield for the Mets…she said “I guess Young, Lagares, and Granderson…but I like that Brown guy” Let’s go Mets.

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designer spotlight

“Atelier Gardeur has the most loyal customers: nine out of ten would recommend us to their friends and acquaintances. So what’s our secret? The perfect silhouette! Some 2,000 trouser specialists at Atelier Gardeur use a great deal of skilled craftsmanship to develop trousers that not only fit perfectly but also give wearers a perfect figure.

We cultivate our expert craftsmanship — whether in our cutting departments, in our own tailoring workshops or in our laundry facilities. We deploy the latest technology and enjoy driving innovations forward. Our approach is much more precise than that of others: we check every single roll of fabric — just like we do the final product. And most importantly, we manufacture according to high social standards, as our staff and partners are the heart and soul of our brand. “ Gerhard Kränzle | CEO

Gardeur Atelier

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Atelier Gardeur is the premier specialist for high-quality German trousers. With a wide range of top-class trousers, Gardeur targets demanding, urban men in the prime of their lives. “Gardurs” are some of our customers’ favorite trousers because they exceed expectations in terms of quality, fit, innovation, and contemporary, elegant style.

Gardeur atelier is the only fully integrated trouser specialist in Germany, which means they are able to cover all development stages leading to their exceptional quality. At their German company headquarters, two in-house creative teams design the pants which are then carefully crafted by their own in-house style and pattern makers. Experienced Gardeur buyers purchase selected findings, such as buttons, rivets, and appliqués from exclusive suppliers throughout the world. Gardeur seamstresses then lovingly handcraft the first prototypes. Gardeur runs their own sewing shops, laundry, and quality assurance because making trousers requires high-precision craftsmanship. All their operations are certified and coordinated by Gardeur technicians in the company’s own laboratories.

They leave nothing to chance. It is this special creativity and high degree of skilled trade that has made Gardeur the trouser specialists — for more than 90 years.

“With loving attention to detail, my team makes sure that Atelier Gardeur trousers fit perfectly, are comfortable, and boast particularly smart functions. This is what makes them favorites” Uta Erbeldinger Head of Design Menswear

rothmans

out & about

anywhere y o u

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c a n

t a k e

r o t h m a n s

airport observances

b y :

K R I S T I N A - M A R I E

R O S S

Editor’s Note: What do store owners do when they go on vacation? They go to stores. I guess that is called a busman’s holiday. So there I was in Edinburgh, Scotland, waiting for a flight, when I happened upon a Hugo Boss Shop in the airport. It is there that I met Kristina-Marie Ross, salesperson, photographer, and fashion blogger (http://retiredartstudent. tumblr.com/). I asked Kristina to share some of her thoughts on working retail in an international airport. ~Ken

i

It’s not always easy for retired art students. We’re very much used to projects which have endings — handing in papers on Fridays — and when we begin to feel artistically drained, it’s okay, because we know that next month we’ll be working on a completely different work of art.

So when I left art school to pursue a career as a freelance photographer, there was a little bit of a shock. I should have known there wouldn’t be a queue of people at my door, throwing money at me in exchange for photos.

So what do retired students of the artistic career path do while waiting for their big break? The answer is simple. We work, sometimes at less than glamorous jobs, sometimes at jobs that are actually quite fun. Whatever the case, we work to fuel the hopes and dreams the hipsters inside us desire. When I’m not being a tortured artist, I’m working at Edinburgh Airport’s Hugo Boss store, in Scotland. Any of you lovely Americans passing through our painfully cold country between the hours of 5am and 9pm are more than welcome to see if I’m there. (The girl on the caffeine drip, by the way.)

Despite the fact I am only there so many days a week, every shift brings a different experience. Perhaps it’s a suave journalist talking about that one time he and Phil Collins had breakfast on the beach, or just a flustered family shyly asking for a carrier bag after their toddler spilled his juice box all over their carry-on.

All in all, I find people endearing. It’s why I love photography. I thrive on catching moments of people, between people, with people.

People are strange. Despite how much two men in tailored suits can physically resemble each other, the layers beneath them are so very intricate. I’m one of those people that likes to dig up what I can about a person, because they will always have something to teach you that you didn’t know before — and that is a lifelong, ongoing experience.

One particular incident (names have been changed, of course) showed me the many layers a man can have, and just how fast they can fall off when he’s come face to face with his woman.

I met Mr Hennessey on a Tuesday morning, it was sometime between 5am and wanting to die. I’m not sure what his real name was, but he looked like a Hennessey. A simple but physically strong man, he strode in with confusion painted across his face, eyes scanning the table laid perfectly with denims, mouth hanging slightly open through concentration. I approached him with caution, (As a Brit, approaching strangers is the root of all fear.)

“Are you finding everything okay there, Sir?” I asked in the happiest tone one could pretend at this forsaken hour.

Mr Hennessey looked up with slight relief. “Actually, I’m looking for some jeans,” he stated simply. I had to tilt my head backwards to take in his 6’4” stance. He was probably in his mid-thirties with dirty

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blonde hair and an Australian accent. His testosterone levels were through the roof.

“Okay! Well, let me help you with that.” I whipped out five pairs of jeans from beneath the table, rambling about the differences between them all. We bounced back and forth with questions and answers such as “Is this the sort of cut you were looking for?”, “No way! These are tax free?”, and “Wow, that wash of denim really brings out your personality.”

By this point he had tried on seven pairs of Boss denims. Mr Hennessey was a mixture of good looks, well traveled sense, and good old banter. It’s not every day in retail that you find a customer with whom you truly have chemistry, with whom your conversations are not fueled purely by etiquette, but actual social skills.

“Y’know what? I’m not gonna take those,”he said, his muscular (yes, muscular) hand clutching two pairs of comfort fit denims, “But I’m definitely going to buy these.” The other hand dropping his ragged hold all onto the floor, as he pointed to the five pairs in my arms.

Five. So many jeans that I have to use my physical arms to carry them. Five pairs of jeans over the price of £100 each. Five. Pairs. Of jeans.

I tried to hide my excitement, and the strain my skinny arms felt holding so much denim. I clicked my little black heels from the fitting room and gracefully dropped the denims onto the cash desk, creating a cute mound of expensiveness. I was thrilled. It had been such a quiet morning. It was Tuesday, for crying out loud! If Sunday was a day of rest, then Tuesday was a day of death.

Wow, that wash of denim really brings out your personality.

My fingers tapped anxiously on the keyboard as I waited for the computer to load. Mr Hennessey stood before the cash desk as we smiled our way through a conversation about Scotland — how much he had enjoyed his time here and how beautiful my country was.

Mr Hennessey’s face had come so far since we had met twenty-seven minutes ago. Confusion was gone, he was now a man of hope and pride.

This man was no longer just a man, he was a wielder of five pairs of designer jeans and would never have to venture into a Levis store again.

All because I, Kristina-Marie Ross, showed him the power of Hugo Boss casual wear. I was there to unveil the truth behind what looks great with a shirt and what looks great with another shirt. I took full responsibility

airport observances putting his beer free hand in his pocket like a man, would be because of me. I gave him that power — the power of testosterone through fashion — the power of me.

Enthralled heavily in a discussion about the fact haggis was not an animal, the only thing standing between us now was the counter. We threw our heads back in laughter at a story he told that I can no longer remember. Composing my joy, I looked to the computer screen.

The till was ready! Now all I had to do was scan these five labels and bask in the glory of my success. My delicate hands lifted the first pair of 34/34’s in a swift motion towards the scanner. A fine red line raced across the leg of the regular cut thigh before finishing at the bar code with a successful sound of...

“What are you doing here?”

Beep.

My hands froze still.

My eyes moved left towards the entrance of the boutique. Every thread of pride belonging to Mr Hennessey had now burned to nothing. There, stood a petite young woman in her late twenties: round (angry) hazel eyes, luscious (growling) peach lips, cute little (flaring) freckled nose.

She marched herself and her ponytail towards us.

I contemplated throwing something heavy at her to slow her down.

“Eddie, what is this?” She pointed viciously at the denims, like they had no feelings.

Mr Hennessey half laughed in that embarrassing way you do when you’re trying to get out of a prison sentence, “Hey, babe!” Awkward lean in for completely one sided kiss. “I thought you were taking a nap?”

“Babe” stood high enough to just reach past his elbow. I stayed positioned behind the cash desk, I didn’t want to interrupt. I was also concerned I may step on her. Babe’s eyes stayed fixated on him, “No.” I could physically hear the full stop in her voice. I had to help this man.

“Oh I’m sorry,” I laughed in the least flirtatious way possible, “I was just showing him some of the jeans we had on offer today. Because we’re in the airport, it means we’re tax free. Yay! So, did you enjoy your time in Scotland?” I smiled in that genuine way as she ignored my existence.

“You don’t need jeans, Eddie. We, literally, just went shopping like, weeks ago. Why are you in here looking at jeans you don’t even need?”

Babe asked rhetorically as she flipped through the jeans on the table, disgustedly. Mr Hennessey half stepped forward to lift a pair.

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“But don’t you think these are nice, babe? Kristina said that if I have any problems then I can...”

He stopped. Her face. Babe looked up at him, pursing her beautifully peach painted lips to one side as she unfolded her arms.

Pretty little Louis on the crook of her right arm, her left hand lifted into the air and flicked her ponytail as she turned with, “Fine.”

Uh-oh.

Body faced towards the door, head turned over her shoulder as her round (angry) hazel eyes focused on him again. Mr Hennessey seemed torn. On one hand he had a pair of boot cuts he’d come to love in such little time. On the other hand he had a pair of regular fits to compliment his checkered shirt. Then on the third, mutated hand he had Babe.

Mr Hennessey tilted his head in a persuasive manner, with a half smile and flush of red from humiliation. Babe rolled her eyes, shook her head quickly and erupted both well manicured hands in the air, “Seriously, Eddie.

If you want them. Get them.”

I pretended to read something that wasn’t there.

“Uh...” Mr Hennessey began. His eyes darted above her, out towards the departure lounge, where there were no jeans. “I think...” He smiled apologetically before turning to me, “I think, I’m gonna’ leave it. I mean...”

“I thought you wanted them,” she cut in with a frown. Mr Hennessey smiled tilting his head side to side. “I mean, they’re great jeans, but... uh, it’s kind of a lot to carry for the flight home.”

“Eddie, if you want the jeans, just buy them.”

Listen to her, Eddie. Buy them. Buy the five pairs of jeans my arms struggle to carry.

“Nah, nah. I...I like ‘em, but I don’t want all that luggage, now that I think it through. I’m sorry.” His eyes refused to lock with mine, as he quietly took a step back.

“Oh, don’t worry about it at all!” I lied. I hoped it would haunt him forever.

He went to take a step toward the fitting room, to courteously shut the door he’d left open, until Babe shot him the same look she would probably give to someone who wore denim on denim.

Quickly, he grabbed his bag off the floor and followed after her and her victorious ponytail. Meanwhile I, submerged in a flood of unwanted denim, crumbled to a retailers defeat.

etonshirts.com – facebook.com/etonofsweden

men’s fashion

Check the List Wardrobe musts for the fashionable man

Semper paratus is Latin for “always ready” and is the motto of the United States Coast Guard.

When it comes to your clothing, there are some basic items that you should have in the closet that will have you prepared for any event or meeting. We asked our buyer, Shae Berry, to put together a list of the essentials. Her list is not a complete wardrobe, but enough to keep you in the game.

From your side, let’s not count your Communion/ Bar Mitzvah suit, your 15-year-old tuxedo, or your massive-shouldered Armani suit with the triple-pleated pants. There comes a time to part ways, and there are great organizations like Career Gear (Careergear.org) that would be thrilled to take your donations.

SUITS

FORMALWEAR

If you wear suits to work, a minimum of 5 in good working order is necessary. If you dress casually at the office, you still need two, with at least one of them being a solid.

1 solid gray (charcoal/ mid gray) 2-button, flat front.

1 solid navy 2-button, flat front 1 gray patterned (pin dot, pin stripe, mini-check) 2-button, flat front 1 navy patterned (pin dot, pin stripe, mini-check) 2-button,

flat front 1 fun suit, could be a brighter blue, a brown, or even a glen plaid

2-button, flat front Seasonal Options: Light gray/ tan 2-button for summer/spring or vested option for the winter

q q q q

SHIRTS

q q q q q

1 1 1 1 1

q

q

q

q q q q

1 three-quarter length raincoat with removable liner (tan, black, or navy) 1 three-quarter length overcoat 1 casual three-quarter city coat 1 lightweight spring jacket 1 down/ski parka

q q q q q

1 1 1 1

slim-fit tuxedo (many, many options at Rothmans) tuxedo shirt formal shoe formal bowtie

SWEATERS

1 lightweight cashmere sweater q q 1 cotton sweater q 1 cotton three-quarter zip SHOES

It does not matter what type of work environment that you inhabit, a man needs a minimum of 15 first-rate shirts for work and play.

3 white dress shirts 3 blue dress shirts 3 patterned sports shirts that could be worn with a blazer if

necessary (small checks and ginghams work well here) 3 more casual sport shirts that can be worn with denim,

shorts, or khakis 3 “going out” shirts that are updated and modern

q q q

NECKWEAR

q

q q

10 ties. Various colors and patterns that are the appropriate width (lapels are narrower, ties are narrower) 1 knit tie 1 bow tie

KNITS

&

SHIRTS

q 3 polo shirts q 3 dressy t-shirts (not your white Fruit of the Loom) q 3 black t-shirt (it is NYC) q 3 long sleeve knits TROUSERS

4 flat-front dress trouser (gray, navy, black required) q q 3 khaki or non-denim pants q 4 pairs of denim. Should be narrow and primarily dark.

Avoid bold stitching or large logo pocket treatments.

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black dress shoe brown dress shoe shoe in a third color (cordovan, grey, cognac, or navy) seasonal Spring casual shoe (sneaker or driving moc) seasonal Fall casual shoe (Chukka or Chelsea boot)

OUTERWEAR

ACCESSORIES

q q q q q q q q q q q q q

Lots of underwear to fit correctly under slim suits/jeans/chinos 1 pair of cool sunglasses 2 pair of cufflinks 3 dress belts to match your dress shoes 1 casual belt for denim and khakis 12 pairs of basic socks 6 pairs of fun socks 1 great baseball cap that you love 2 pocket squares 1 stylish scarf 1 sturdy umbrella 1 pair of fine leather gloves 1 partridge in a pear tree (wanted to see if you were paying attention)

AWine dventure Country

travel to Italy

b y

in Italy’s

I

If there’s a knock against travel to Italy, at least during prime wedding season, it’s the crowds at its most popular honeymoon spots. Tossing a euro in Rome’s Trevi Fountain turns to sport when you have to muscle past the tour bus throngs. And waiting for a gondola on the Grand Canal in Venice? Think Disney during school break.

You will not find the crowds in the Piedmont wine region of northwest Italy known as the Langhe, despite its surprising accessibility. Set your GPS and you can be in Monte Carlo or Milan in less than two hours.

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I Y N A

B O R T

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Life. Styled.

travel to Italy The Langhe is castle country; more than a half-dozen are within an easy drive or vigorous mountain bike ride. Every hairpin turn on a vineyard-covered foothill rewards you with a view of another stone tower, the Alps in the distance. The skyline hasn’t changed much in centuries.

So why is the Langhe a secret? For one thing, it’s been overlooked by honeymooners because of its lack of luxury accommodations. The area is flecked with decent enough hotels, pensions, guest houses, and farm house lodgings known as agriturismi, but, until recently, no five-star properties. That changed in 2009 when one of the region’s leading wine producers, Beni di Batasiolo, built the plush il Boscareto Resort and Spa smack in the middle of one of its most beautiful vineyards.

Cue the masseuse. Il Boscareto’s bi-level treatment suites and fitness center include one of the sexiest indoor-outdoor pools north of Tuscany.

Intimate lounge areas line the resort’s perimeter, overlooking the grapes that will eventually make their way into wine glasses around the world.

Il Boscareto does not have the patina of its ancient surroundings; architecturally it’s a kind of modern interpretation of a Piedmontese castle, but its roots run deep. It is a resort run by one family whose lineage goes back centuries. There’s no multinational corporation operating it from a distant headquarters.

As a destination resort, Il Boscareto tempts you to stay put. But why when you can daytrip to towns of Roman ruins, Renaissance frescoes, and little cafés on narrow alleyways that are yours alone. No reservations required. In her book In Love in Italy, author Monica Larner asserts, “If you love the wine country, this is paradise.”

il Boscareto Resort

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Adventure travel to Italy

About those wines: It is at the heart of understanding the land of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Moscato. Wine is its industry and its essence. It even has its own origin myth, albeit a bit tongue in cheek. At the Wine Museum in Barolo (next door to the Corkscrew Museum), a Garden of Eden tableau portrays Eve tempting Adam with a cluster of grapes. And when the locals aren’t talking wine, they’re talking truffles — the fungus, not the chocolate. It’s part of a cultural reverence for the riches that come from the ground. These earthy objects of desire were

once considered the food of the gods for their aphrodisiac powers. These days, they’re the food of the One Percenters, easily fetching $1,000 a pound. They’re sniffed out by well-

trained mutts in nearby woods and famously feted every fall at the National White Truffle Fair in the town of Alba. The

climax of the fair is the white truffle auction, simulcast by satellite to deep-pocketed gourmands around the globe. It’s the closest thing this region gets to a red carpet event. Last year, an American nabbed the grand prize, a white truffle weighing in at 2.76 pounds. His winning bid: 98,000 euros.

This is the quiet corner of Italy. For glitz, head west to Monte Carlo and Cannes. For exquisite mayhem, go south to Rome. But to find out how a glass of Barolo, a plate of truffle risotto, and a chorus of cicadas can shake you like a thunderclap, stay right here.

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employee spotlight

Scarsdale

Star

We opened our second Rothmans store in the center of Scarsdale

on to Victoria’s Secret and Lord & Taylor. We always marvel at

more than a decade ago. We were fortunate enough to bring in the

her work ethic. Apparently it is a family trait, as the extra staffing

famous Lubins Boys’ Clothing to our basement space several years

at our annual Scarsdale Sidewalk Sale is mostly made up of her

later. While the store may be smaller than our flagship on 18th St,

extended family. There are no slackers in that bunch.

we feel that it offers a different, but equally rewarding shopping experience. One of the strengths of the store is the dedicated and

Elma says that the best part of her job is that “she likes making guys

knowledgeable team. If you have been in the Scarsdale store, you

look good,” and that she can dress anyone from a “gangster, to a

probably know Elma Reckovic. She is the one who looks like she

kid, to a banker.” She prefers working in a men’s store because men

owns the place, and who knows, maybe she does....

are mostly results oriented when it comes to shopping. “They are needy and in a hurry, but they want to look great. I listen to what

Elma has been with Rothmans for 9 years. She was born in

they are hoping to achieve and then use my experience and style to

Montenegro (c’mon you should know where that is) and is the

get them there. They are very thankful.”

oldest of 5 children. She grew up in the Bronx and attended Christopher Columbus High School. At the age of 14, she started working at a drugstore delivering packages. From there she went

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We are thankful to have Elma on our team.

drink, food & drink

The Old Town Bar, has been serving food and drink at 45 East 18th Street since 1892. The bar has been named one of Esquire Magazine’s “Best Bars in America,” and NBC News 4’s “Best Old Bar in NYC.” Fortunately, it is located next to our flagship store, which is quite convenient. Gerard Meagher and his family have owned the bar for decades. Gerard is a constant presence, often in a colorful sportcoat, making the diverse clientele feel at home. One of the most endearing aspects of the establishment is bartender Patrick Lydon, who is certainly our nominee for “Best Bartender in NYC.” We sat down at the 55-foot mahogany bar to talk to Patrick (good excuse huh?) and find out what makes everyone feel so comfortable at The Old Town.

Jim: Are you a New Yorker?

Patrick: Yes Jim, I am a New Yorker. I was born in Bayside, Queens and grew up in East Northport, Long Island. My mom is from Whitestone Queens; my dad is from Bellerose, Queens. My grandparents were from Greenpoint, Flatbush, and Astoria.

Jim: Wow, a thoroughbred. How did you get into bartending?

Patrick: About 8 years ago, I was doing real estate in Queens. My father reminded me that our friends, the Meagher family, had a bar on 18th Street. I stopped by one day to see if they needed any shifts covered. By chance they did, because there is virtually no turnover at the Old Town.

Jim: You see a lot of people in the Old Town by themselves. Yet, they do not look uncomfortable…What makes them feel at ease?

Patrick: With a classic bar like the Old Town, people can relax because of the unpretentious atmosphere. Larry Meagher, who was my grandfather’s best man and visa-versa, would put signs in the window, and I think he summed it up pretty well. “This is a peasant bar, which means it’s a pleasant bar. The only big shots here are the drinks.”

Jim: I don’t see any umbrellas in the drinks here?

Patrick: The only umbrellas are on a rainy day. We don’t do frozen drinks here, but we do have fresh-squeezed lemonade that is especially good with vodka as noted on the hand written signs Gerard puts on the windows. Those hand-written signs, sometimes funny, sometimes controversial, are a continuation of the tradition that Gerard’s father Larry started many years ago.

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drink, food & drink

Jim: You must hear a million jokes. What’s your favorite one liner? A termite walks into a bar and says “where is the bar tender?”

Patrick: I like bad or dirty jokes. l will go with one I just heard yesterday from one of my regulars, “Jack the Lighting Guy.” It is really bad, but it got me good.

Jack: Did you hear about that actress that killed her husband the other day?

Me: What actress?

Jack: Reese.

Me: Witherspoon?

Jack: NO. With her knife.

Jim: Tell me about the famous urinals in the men’s room?

Patrick: The urinals are really big. They are from Hinsdale New York. Their only rival in the City is P.J. Clarke’s. Ours were put in on November 1, 1910. A few years back, Gerard and his family threw a gala for the 100th Anniversary. It got a lot of local coverage, a congratulatory note from the Mayor, and an article in the Wall Street Journal. Gerard likes to say that they offer a bit more “privacy.”

Jim: You look like a bartender should look. Is it true that you have played a bartender on TV? Patrick: Ha! Bartenders come in all shape and sizes. Location scouts do love The Old Town, and plenty of things are filmed in here. Of course, our neon sign was part of the opening of “Late Night With David Letterman” for more than a decade.

I had a part in “Gossip Girl” a couple of years ago and recently a new Fiddy Cent show called “Power.” He’s still Fiddy Cent, right? I just had a role in a pilot from Ed Burns and Steven Spielberg called “Public Morals,” which stars Michael Rappaport and Timothy Hutton. That was a fun day as another of our bartenders, Andy Fitzpatrick, was also on camera.

That was actually the second time a Lydon has made an appearance in an Ed Burns project. My father’s real estate firm, Lydon Realty, had a few moments of free advertising in the movie, “The Fitzgerald Family Christmas.”

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Jim: What do you wear for work?

Patrick: I usually stick with the jeans and flannel shirt combo for work. It’s a very physical job here in a small space behind the bar so you don’t want run the risk of cranberry or tomato juice getting on some Rothman’s gear. One old piece of wood can end the life of a good button down.

Jim: Are your clients dressed any better since Rothmans moved next door?

Patrick: Maybe the whole block dresses better. People are very confused when they come in here looking for The Old Town tee shirt. I tell them: “We don’t sell it, but go next door and checkout Rothmans. They have it.” They come back an hour later with more than one Rothmans bag. I usually do too.

Jim: What is it like working next to your beautiful girlfriend Colleen? Do you get riled up when you watch the patrons hitting on her?

Patrick: Colleen Meagher is a pretty and friendly girl that can put anybody in their place. It actually makes me laugh when guys make a pass at her…because I know what’s coming next. Me. Jim: We have been in the neighborhood for 28 years, and you might be the rookie with 8 years of experience. Is this one of those indentured servitude things?

Patrick: Yeah, like I said before, there isn’t much turnover in this place. The bartenders here have taught me well from their many years of experience. Whether it is John Nugent telling me to “kill them with kindness” when you have a jerk at the bar that needs to leave, or Peter “Chip” Sylvester reminding me to leave the stress of the job at the bar when you walk out the door. I owe a debt to Stuart Collins for showing me how to keep control of the room with old-school respect from both sides of the bar. The regulars like “Matt the Hat,” “Railroad Ted,” and “Phil the Horse” have made it a great atmosphere for me. Of course I cannot forget my co-workers like Madeline Klemmer, Meagan Dolan, and Pam Jaworksi that create a great atmosphere. So after people grab some new summer clothes, they should come get a drink from me, and a burger from Sergio and Moose upstairs in the kitchen.

Jim: Thanks Patrick. Do Ken and I have nicknames, like “Jim the Suit”? Or is it something worse?

Patrick: Sorry, can’t say.

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DION ST YLE • QUALITY • SER VICE

w w w. d i o n n e c k we a r. co m

moody

blues

If there is one color that will be impossible to avoid in men’s fashion during spring/ summer 2014, that will most certainly be blue.

Throughout the hundreds of runway shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris unveiling spring/summer 2014 menswear collections, it was very noticeable that designers decided to focus their color palettes on vivid shades of blue. For this season suits, jackets, sportswear, accessories, and footwear come in an array of attractive shades of navy, cerulean, turquoise, and cobalt.

Go for whatever shade suits your personal style and skin tone, but try to keep it vibrant.

Whether wearing one piece or an entire ensemble, blue is the color of the season and is expected to carry over into the fall.

get the blues

Finally, a menswear favorite is back on the style color spectrum.

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How to wear blue this spring

You probably own a lot of blue, but these new brighter blues can freshen you up while staying within your

comfort zone. Here are some ideas that can go a long way to completing your wardrobe.

• A pair of casual fitted trousers, slightly cropped at the ankles that you can wear with loafers • A bright blue sweater for the chillier days. A blue, but not navy polo shirt • A pair of shorts in teal. A bathing suit in aqua. A narrow fit solid suit in a brighter navy,

sometimes referred to as Neapolitan blue

• A solid mid blue blazer • A French Blue gingham dress shirt • A light blue paisley tie • A baby blue pocket square • A casual blue sneaker to wear with khakis and shorts • A navy tuxedo. You want navy blue,

have fun with it here

get the blues R O T H M A N ’ S

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rothmans custom

w

Whether you are tough to fit or just want the luxury of creating your own look, there are many advantages to Rothmans custom shirts. Our Shirt Guru, Jim Giddon, answers the most common questions about our custom shirt program.

Custom Shirts, Affordable Luxury What is the minimum number of shirts that you have to order?

We have no minimums here at Rothmans. You can start with just one shirt. Most other shops require six. But, warning, once you try one, you will want more.

What is the price range of your shirts?

Our custom shirts start at $135. The bulk of the shirts are in the $175 range, and the luxury fabric are in the $350 -$400 range. The custom prices are similar to the prices of our off the rack shirts. So, for the same price, it often makes sense to do custom. Why not have a shirt that is designed for your exact body, at the same price?

Are there lots of fabrics to choose from?

Yes, there are currently about 1400 fabrics for you to choose from.

Including the luxury fabrics. You can even supply your own fabric, and we will make the shirt for you.

What are the styling options I can choose?

Of course all the basics stuff. Collar (any style, any height, any point length), cuffs, sleeves, pockets, front style, monogram. And any style in tuxedo shirts you can imagine. But, the fun stuff is when customers want to get creative. Things like contrast fabric in the collar, cuffs.

How long does it take to get measured?

It takes about 10 minutes to measure you. How long it takes to select the swatches is up to you and your decision making skills.

How long does delivery take after measuring?

I quote 4 weeks, but hopefully they arrive a bit sooner. It depends on the time of year.

Where are the shirts made?

We proudly announce that the shirts are Made in the USA. In Newark, New Jersey. A great factory, that is very responsive to our needs, and keen on the details.

Will you guys do office visits?

We are always interested in doing office visits in Manhattan. If you can promise me that a few guys in your office are interested, we will make it happen.

What if I don’t want a slim or trendy shirt?

Well, that is exactly what custom is about. You do whatever you want to do. Any style you want. If you want a full shirt, or a button down, or 2 pockets. We just want to give you exactly what you want, and feel comfortable wearing.

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What are the hot trends these days in shirts?

The big trend is still fitted shirts. Tapered body, tapered sleeves, etc. Smaller collars are also in style. However, the styling trend is contrast buttons and stitching. You can take a regular shirt, change the buttons, and suddenly it is cool. It’s great to see guys becoming “fashion designers” and having fun with their shirts.

The Old Town Bar  T- Shirt Available in Small-XXL

$35 Available in store or call Shae at 212-777-7400 or shae@rothmansny.com

rothman’s magazine offer

$50 ofF

ANY PURCHASE OF $500 OR MORE VALID THROUGH July 15, 2014 Certificate must be presented at time of purchase.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers.

Not applicable to previous purchases.

One certificate per customer.

18TH ST. & PARK AVE. SOUTH TEL (212) 777-7400

SCARSDALE TEL (914) 713-0300

$100 ofF

ANY PURCHASE OF $1,000 OR MORE

VALID THROUGH July 15, 2014 Certificate must be presented at time of purchase.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers.

Not applicable to previous purchases.

One certificate per customer.

18TH ST. & PARK AVE. SOUTH TEL (212) 777-7400

SCARSDALE TEL (914) 713-0300

$200 ofF

ANY PURCHASE OF $2,000 OR MORE VALID THROUGH July 15, 2014 Certificate must be presented at time of purchase.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers.

Not applicable to previous purchases.

One certificate per customer.

18TH ST. & PARK AVE. SOUTH TEL (212) 777-7400

SCARSDALE TEL (914) 713-0300

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sportcoat trend

see the pattern?

Tired of your navy blazer? Step out in a modern take on the classic sportcoat.

Pair a bright jacket with a printed shirt, or take on the trend wholeheartedly in a blazer with an allover pattern.

Solid Color Plaids To Bolder Colorful Plaids

Bright Colored Sport Coats

This season, the bolder the plaid, the better it is. A vintage pattern with a modern twist, the plaid we’re talking about is less Catholic schoolgirl and more Mad Men. Great for adding color and pattern into an otherwise understated wardrobe, plaids vary from hardly visible to overwhelmingly bold.

With that said, many guys aren’t totally comfortable diving head first into a bold plaid sport jacket. If you’re wary to step outside the box, here’s a secret you might not know: you can make almost anything look normal. Bold prints, unexpected colors — it’s all about how you dress around a statement piece. Wear the bold plaid with a white shirt, dark jeans, and your favorite kicks. You don’t need an eccentric sense of style to pull off something a little different, just the right background.

For those of you who aren’t afraid to stand out, a bolder plaid is likely your cup of tea. The key to pulling it off is to pair it with a solid color shirt and subtle tie pattern.

Say goodbye to the dark blues and get blinded by the light — light blues that is. With the cold weather behind us, now’s the time to bench your midnight navy and charcoal jackets in exchange for warmer shades of blue. When you brighten up the color of your sport coat, your whole outfit will awaken and come to life.

Keep it simple and go for the nautical look by pairing a bright blue jacket with light gray slacks and a white shirt. For the peacocks out there, wear your blue jacket with a pair of brightly colored cotton pants and a bold gingham plaid shirt.

The stylish man has gone beyond the basic navy and charcoal gray and has added stand-alone blazers and sportcoats to his outerwear arsenal. Why? They’re an essential for the office, a slam dunk for impressing dates, and perfect for feeling sharp, you know, just because. Even more so than fall, spring is a season for sport coats.

“Bold prints have become more mainstream on single-breasted coats and other items of men’s clothing.

Large window-panes, bold plaids, geometric patterns, and even floral prints went down the runway for this spring/summer. Bold prints will become commonplace. Let’s call it the year of self-expression.”

–Mark Rubinstein, GMM Rothmans

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